Netball Season Kicks Off with a Strong Start at Condover Hall and Lower Years Netball Festival

The Netball season has kicked off with a bang!

On Tuesday, 27th August, thirteen Lower Sixth and Upper Sixth netballers travelled to Condover Hall in Shropshire to commence their 2024/25 Pre-Season preparations. Under the guidance of Miss Cox, Director of Netball and Head Coach of the XI Team, the girls kicked off the day with an engaging netball session filled with team-building activities. They strengthened connections across year groups through laughter and determination, demonstrating accountability and creative problem-solving as they worked together on the court.

The day became even more special as the girls were coached by England and Loughborough Lightning player Beth Cobden, a Brand Ambassador for Edwin Doran Sports Tours.  The three-hour session began with a focus on footwork and chasing the ball, honing techniques to secure possession—one of Beth’s signature skills. The drills quickly became competitive, with the girls pushing each other to their limits, showing fierce determination on the court. After a well-deserved lunch, the group continued working on their centre pass attack strategies, adding new ideas to their playbook. Cobden’s message resonated with the players: mistakes are a learning opportunity, and persistence leads to success. The girls embraced this, showing both patience and resilience as they worked on refining their skills.

In the afternoon, the Sixth Formers faced a different challenge as they took on a climbing and high ropes trail. This pushed many outside of their comfort zones, with participants showing grit and determination to go higher than they ever expected. For others, it was a chance to excel in a different kind of physical test, and everyone left feeling a sense of accomplishment.

Throughout the day, both Miss Cox and Mrs Neville were impressed by the camaraderie and support shown among the players, noting how encouraging and uplifting they were to one another.

The Pre-Season event was followed by the annual Lower Years Netball Festival, which took place on the first Saturday of term. The festival saw 45 Lower Years pupils participate, many of whom were new to the sport. Upper Fourth pupils took on leadership roles, acting as role models for the younger Lower Fourth students, guiding them through the rules of the game and ensuring full engagement in the activities.

The festival was packed with fun, including team-building games, shooting competitions, and plenty of match play. The joy on the pupils’ faces was evident as they enjoyed their first taste of competitive netball. Parents were also invited to attend, with refreshments served in the white pavilion, making the day a social success as well.

With the first fixture against Solihull School just around the corner, the netball coaching staff are optimistic about the upcoming season. The hard work, positive energy, and team spirit displayed during Pre-Season and the Lower Years Festival have set the stage for a successful campaign ahead.